G40 campaigns for Madzongwe

HARARE - Post-congress Zanu PF bigwigs opposed to embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa succeeding President Robert Mugabe have vowed that a woman will return to the ruling party’s powerful presidium this year, most likely at his expense.

Speaking to the Daily News at the weekend, party officials linked to the former liberation movement’s ambitious Young Turks known as the Generation 40 (G40), who are said to be working closely with the women’s league to derail Mnangagwa, said Senate president Edna Madzongwe, and not First Lady Grace Mugabe, was likely to be the woman VP.

“It is now a question of when in 2016, not whether we will have a woman VP. Last December’s (Zanu PF) conference set a clear deadline that 2016 would be the year that gender parity would be realised in the presidium.

“Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing will stop women from realising their long-cherished dream, and that woman is likely to be Mai Madzongwe, and not Dr Amai (Grace), whom you guys wrongly accused of wanting to succeed the president,” one of the bigwigs said.

Insiders agree that if the increasingly frail Mugabe does move to appoint a woman vice president this year, in line with the wishes of Zanu PF’s women’s league and the majority of the party’s provinces, this will most likely see Mnangagwa being demoted to a lower position.

Women’s league senior member and Goromonzi West MP, Beatrice Nyamupinga — who is also the chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development — told the Daily News yesterday that while 2015 had variously been dubbed Gore Rezvidzidzo (the year of learning), 2016 was the Women’s Year.

She called on men to warm up to the idea of a woman occupying the second highest office in the land if Zimbabwe entertained any hopes of developing the nation.

“We want women to start from the top where crucial decisions are made because we have seen women do well the world over.

“They have excelled in universities and if they can shine in academia what can stop them from shining in national governance as vice president?” Nyamupinga said.

She noted that other countries in the Sadc region, such as Zambia where the vice president Inonge Mutukwa Wina was a woman, were advanced in promoting women.

And speaking while addressing Zanu PF supporters in her constituency at the weekend, Nyamupinga assured them that the party would soon have a woman deputising Mugabe.

“Do not worry yourselves folks, we made a resolution which was tabled at the conference in Victoria Falls that whenever a man leads, there must be a woman vice president and that will come to pass soon,” she said to applause.

Meanwhile, another well-placed source told the Daily News at the weekend that Mnangagwa had allegedly had a major fall out with the First Family, which — if true — further dimmed his hopes of succeeding Mugabe.

The source claimed that this was the reason why VP Phelekezela Mphoko had once again been chosen to be the acting president, for the second successive occasion, instead of Mnangagwa, while Mugabe was on his normal festive season break.

“The last time Mugabe was out of the country when he went to South Africa for the Sino-African summit it was Mphoko who was acting president.

“Under normal circumstances, it was supposed to have been Ngwena’s (Mnangagwa’s) turn but that did not happen,” the insider pointed out.

And with Mnangagwa struggling to live up to the popular caricature of his nickname, that of a ruthless crocodile, in Zanu PF’s seemingly-unstoppable factional and succession wars, his supporters are being pummelled left, right and centre by their marauding party foes.

Just like what happened a decade ago when many of his most ardent supporters were decimated after the so-called Tsholotsho Declaration, after being accused of plotting to oust Mugabe from power, history appears to be repeating itself with his close allies again being picked off one by one by their party enemies, like lambs to the slaughter.

And Lacoste himself, as Mnangagwa is fondly referred to by his loyal followers, once again stands accused of doing little that is visible in the public domain to protect leading members of his support group who are on the receiving end of the savage and unrelenting factional mauling.

Among the alleged allies of Mnangagwa who have recently come under severe pressure from inside Zanu PF are Gokwe-Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena, Water minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, former Manicaland women’s league chairperson Happiness Nyakuedzwa, and the power couple of Monica and Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Wadyajena stands accused of denigrating Grace while he was allegedly engaging in “political banter” with businessman and fellow Zanu PF official Jimayi Muduvuri during the ruling party’s December conference that was held in Victoria Falls.

Nyakuedzwa and another alleged VP close ally, former Mashonaland Central youth league chairperson Godfrey Tsenengamu, were recently suspended from the ruling party for five years on allegations of fanning factionalism.

Former Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, former Harare women’s league chairperson Ratidzo Mukarati and former Masvingo chairperson Paradzai Chakona — all perceived strong backers of Mnangagwa — have also suffered votes of no confidence that were upheld by the party.

Mutsvangwa — another one of Mnangagwa’s alleged close allies — also received a vote of no confidence from Mashonaland West province, putting his party and government positions in jeopardy.

Mutsvangwa’s wife, Monica — a deputy minister — was also recently booted out of the women’s league for defying the First Family, while Muchinguri-Kashiri came under severe shellacking in Manicaland and in a recent politburo meeting.

Muchinguri-Kashiri’s troubles, according to insiders who spoke to the Daily News, came after she allegedly told Grace in the politburo meeting that she was the most senior party official in Manicaland, and thus always needed to be consulted on important decisions impacting on the region — in addition to insinuating that Grace had allegedly failed to run the women’s league properly.

“This angered Amai (Grace) and as she spoke, she got angrier and angrier, saying ‘wakabvira kare uchindijairira ... (You have never respected me)” — apparently going on to give Muchinguri-Kashiri a severe tongue-lashing which resulted in the Water minister crying.

And there is no record in all these cases that Mnangagwa has done much to support or protect his allies, a failing that well-placed sources say the VP was guilty of in 2004/5 when his supporters were cast into the political wilderness for fighting for him.

Dream on,g40rambai muchirota bt I think this is more frm yu dailynews.prpaganda.madzongwe can only be promoted by her boss ngwena.matebeleland is crying for a visible lady vp based in kobulawayo,not harare.its only mphoko to make way bt reliably informed as I am,theris nomo changes in presidium til 2018.this team yu see in the presidium,including vp mphoko is yo team till 2018.no changes unless a vacancy is created thru natural death.other than that nope.the press yu can sell yo papers bt what of if nothing of that sort hapens?or yu already have a follow up story on that.im sure.

viola gwena - 4 January 2016

People must not forget that VPs and everyone else in the party positions are all appointees. Mugabe is both the appointing and dismissing officer lest people forget that. What stops him from removing Mnangagwa or Mphoko and replaces him with Grace or Sandi or Madzongwe? He has the final say. Ironically speaking it was Mnangagwa who changed the constitution that gave Mugabe sweeping powers. Iyi inguruve yava kuzvikanga namafuta ayo. What he did to his fellow war veterans the so called Gamatox was betrayal of the highest order. Umhandu hwakakurisa. Hapana zvokuti heee makaranga vana Gumbo, Mavhaire, Bhasikiti, Gwanetsa, Chakona, Mbudzi and many others havasi mukaranga? I am a Karanga from Mberengwa and Gumbo is a highly respected official. I respect and sympathize war veterans whom some of you call Gamatox. I also respect MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, MKD's Dr Makoni and many others who are fighting this dictatorship.

Jonathiel Moyowaonda - 4 January 2016

Isu hatibvi panaCrocodile. Ndewedu isu kanazvodini

Clemence Tashaya - 4 January 2016

Having a lady VP or mngagwa doesn't solve any of our problems, the problems we are facing derive from, firstly the issue of legitimacy there's no way an illegitimate government can be a success because they are simply not the people's choice. So whatever comes after that is simply not going to work. Until Zim has a free and fair election there's never going to be any progress in this country unfortunately. It's now up to all of us to take the initiative like what the doctors, nurses, teachers have braved themselves to do.

These ZANU PF political thugs won't bring any development to Zim. Zimbabwe needs change

Mentalist - 4 January 2016

As long as Zimbabweans are this passive as a people, where selfishness and self centeredness is celebrated our liberation from this ghost called Zanu PF will remain just a pipe dream. Mujuru was a female not a male VP for over 10years, the question is what did she do for Zimbabwe? What did she do for other women like her? Who was affected more during the Operation murambatswina? It was women and their kids. Its unfortunate that we are blinded by our criminal mind sets that now we can not see the criminality of Zanu PF. Why is it difficult for all of us Zimbabweans regardless of origin or tribe to see Zanu PF and Mugabe criminality and wickedness? This thinking that as long Me, I and Myself we are eating nothing is wrong is pathetic and unforgivable. Can we be honest as a nation and make those we elect for office accountable. If the truth be told neither Zanu PF nor Mugabe was voted into office. They cheated their way into office why then do we expect them to be accountable to the citizens who didn't vote for them in the first place? Our weakness is that we have failed to accept responsibility for our country. Only when we realise and accept full responsibility of our failures as citizenry we will have the power to decide who our rulers are.

Christ In Me - 4 January 2016

lacoste G40 Ngwena how does that give us food or create a bright future for our chidren? Zanu give us a break.Why not produce a film entitled G40 VS Lacoste directed by your president and let your supporters watch it.Nonsense

themba bhebhe - 4 January 2016

Christ in me #Amen. The real sin our country did was to allow Mugabe and ZANU of to dominate our social and political life. We need to pass a complete reversal political journal for Zimbabwe to be free again. As long as we have ZANU pf we shall continue to suffer as a nation. Sometimes civil war is very necessary to clean the mess created by these evil politicians. Who cares whether it's Mpoko or Ngwena, what we need is democracy and prosperity .

Be Warned - 4 January 2016

Let the morons dance on hot ground. By the time they realise that the ground they are stamping on is hot,their feet will be burning and there will be no ground to dance on.Fools

thema bhebhe - 4 January 2016

Jonathan Moyowaonda, Mentalist, Christ In me, Be Warned, misty, I salute you guys for making the right comments, unlike those concerned only with the unelected Zanu (PF) nonsense.

Mr Dete - 4 January 2016

Her one qualification is that she is zezuru. , Inga you think you are the royal tribe. Itai tione

Grace Jones - 4 January 2016

Zanu pf government is virtually Old people's home.

X-MAN IV - 4 January 2016

Amai and G40 are so desperate. All they want is to block Ngwena from ascending to the throne. They do not want a mukaranga to rule Zimbabwe. Madzongwe is a zezuru and a relative of Mugabe. Under the guise of wanting a woman in the Presidium G40 wants Ngwena demoted and then put Madzongwe there knowing that they can easily remove her later and grab power for themselves. Jonso is the brain and schemer behind G40.

Tulani - 4 January 2016

This guy Jonathan Moyo really is on our side, I dare say. Is the decay in Zanu not of his making? We know how bitterly opposed he was to this administration and now, that he went to kill it from within may not sound very farfetched after all. I think he is a daredevil. He has the nerve and the brains to outwit all the Zanu thugs by entering, settling and setting in motion the dismantling actions necessary to kill the mighty CIO/army backed organisation. Mugabe himself intimated thus while they laid Shamhuyarira to rest. Ordinary minded people like me believed the end of Moyo was when Mugabe suggested Moyo went to destroy Zanu from within but the hard headed intelligent Moyo, whose plans unfortunately are taking long, got away with such highly punishable offense in the party. It is time Zimbabweans began recognising his hero status.

Mr Dete - 5 January 2016

G40 so desperate , now that people have spoken and refused to have Grace as VP now they are Trying mombe iri paPic apa. Murume here kana mukadzi

Masvingo chairperson Paradzai Chakona — all perceived strong backers of Mnangagwa — have also suffered votes of no confidence that were upheld by the party. kkk now i agree Dailynews you have got a borne to chew with Mnangagwa. The shareholding again is revealing itself that it have got tainted money from Mujuru. Chakona was fired bse he was seen in Mt Darwin at Grace Mugabe's rally.... the rest digest on your on. Ngwena hamumuzive imi.

Ngwena will prevail. He is a grandmaster in the art of politics. Ask me one year from now.

HLOMURO SITHOLE - 6 January 2016

I told my friends to vote Muzorewa in 1980 but they did not listen, look whats happening now!

Billy - 8 January 2016

ngena ndizvo

buja365 - 11 January 2016

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